The auction hall had barely recovered from the clash of auras when a new, quieter disturbance rippled through the air.

Lian’s breakthrough — the sudden expansion from Core Condensation late— stellar circuit Realm had not gone unnoticed.

It was subtle, almost imperceptible to most. A brief, profound pulse of deep indigo-blue Qi with silver threads that washed outward from the hidden compartment above the main hall like a gentle wave. It lasted only a few seconds, quiet and controlled, but those with sharp enough senses felt it. Several VIPs in the private boxes shifted slightly in their seats, their eyes narrowing as they scanned the hall for the source. A Nebula Dominion elder from Celestial Harmony tilted his head, his pastel aura flickering as he tried to trace the origin. A Mechari executive’s crimson circuits pulsed brighter for a moment, internal scanners whirring as they attempted to lock onto the anomaly.

Even the host — the refined Elyssan man in flowing silver robes — paused mid-gesture on the stage. His silver eyes flicked upward toward the ceiling for the briefest instant, a flicker of curiosity crossing his elegant features. He knew something had happened. A cultivation breakthrough under the immense pressure of two clashing powerhouses. It was rare. Very few in the lower core universe understood or practiced this specific method: using external pressure as a forge to temper the body, spirit, and mind simultaneously, forcing rapid advancement through sheer will and comprehension. Most cultivators relied on elixirs, manuals, or life-death battles. This was different. Cleaner. More dangerous. And almost impossible to pinpoint when done correctly.

The host recovered smoothly, smiling as if nothing had occurred, but his mind was racing. Whoever had broken through was either exceptionally talented or incredibly reckless. He made a mental note to review the surveillance logs later.

Lian, still seated cross-legged in the cramped hidden compartment, opened his eyes slowly. He had felt the shift — the meridians widening, the core expanding, the Qi flowing smoother and deeper than before. His body felt lighter, stronger, more attuned. But he kept his expression neutral, void eyes calm. He searched the compartment and the view below for the source of the voice that had urged him to meditate. He scanned every shadow, every face in the crowd, every VIP box. No one stood out. No one was looking toward their hiding spot. No suspicious movements. No one seemed to have noticed them specifically.

He gave up after a moment, deciding it was either his own subconscious or something tied to the Star Forge Core. He turned his attention back to the auction floor.

The first bidder — the high-ranking representative of the Eternal Veil Syndicate — was still simmering with anger in his opulent private box. His dark aura lingered like smoke around him. He waved his hand sharply. One of his bodyguards stepped forward immediately.

The bodyguard was a towering figure, easily seven feet tall, with a heavily augmented body. His left arm and right leg were fully mechanical, sleek black plating with glowing red circuit veins that pulsed in time with his movements. His face was mostly human — sharp, scarred features with a cybernetic left eye that glowed crimson — but the right side of his jaw and neck were reinforced with metal plating. He wore a tailored black combat suit reinforced with precursor weave, a heavy pistol holstered at his hip and a long vibro-blade sheathed across his back. His name was Korrath Vex — a former arena champion turned Syndicate enforcer, known for his brutal efficiency and loyalty. He had served the Syndicate for over two hundred years, rising through the ranks by crushing anyone who dared oppose them. His cultivation was at Stellar Circuit Star 6, augmented further by experimental implants that made him a walking weapon.

The representative leaned forward and spoke in a low, clipped voice.

“Find out who that second bidder is. For him to know who I am and still not back down, he must be from one of the Four Pillars in the lower core universe. Let’s be sure before taking any action.”

Korrath Vex nodded once, his crimson eye flashing as he recorded the order.

“Understood.”

He disappeared into the shadows of the box, moving with surprising silence for his size.

The representative sat back, forcing a smile as he continued watching the second bidder’s box. His dark aura simmered, but he held it in check for now. The Four Pillars were the most powerful organizations in the lower core universe — ancient, influential, and dangerous beyond measure. Crossing one without confirmation could lead to catastrophic consequences, even for the Eternal Veil Syndicate.

The host, sensing the tension, bowed deeply to the entire hall.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the brief disturbance. Please accept my sincerest regrets. We will now continue with the auction.”

He gestured gracefully as attendants brought the next item onto the stage.

“This is the Aetherweave Adaptive Armor,” the host announced, his voice regaining its smooth, enticing tone. “Forged from liquid nano-precursor alloy harvested from a fallen starship in the outer void. When inactive, it appears as a simple bracelet. When activated, it merges with the wearer’s body, forming a full suit of flexible, adaptive armor that can shift shape, absorb impacts, and even repair itself using ambient Qi. It is calibrated for Circuit Awakening Realm users but can scale up with the wearer’s growth. Not the most eye-catching item, but incredibly practical for survival and prolonged combat.”

The crowd murmured with interest. It wasn’t flashy like the previous items, but many saw its value — especially those who operated in dangerous environments or expected to face stronger opponents.

“We will start the bidding at ten million credits,” the host declared.

The hall exploded with activity again.

“Twelve million!”

“Fifteen million!”

“Twenty million!”

In three minutes, the bid had climbed steadily, and the armor was sold to a mid-level cultivator in the middle section for twenty-eight million credits. The winner looked pleased, though many in the VIP boxes didn’t even glance at it — it was beneath their interest.

Elara, watching through the peephole, leaned forward slightly. Her blue cyber eyes lingered on the armor with clear interest. She was still relatively weak compared to the higher realms. Something like that could protect her, give her an edge in future fights. She didn’t say anything, but Lian noticed the way her fingers tightened on the edge of the compartment wall.

Lian, on the other hand, couldn’t be bothered.

His mind kept drifting back to the Mindweaver Crown from earlier. The idea of entering a mental realm to fight masters, learn techniques, and inherit legacies from the dead was far more valuable to him than any armor. He could train endlessly, absorb knowledge that would take decades otherwise, and grow strong enough to face the white-eyed old man and the progenitor remnant behind him.

He kept that thought close.

Power Scale / Cultivation Realms (Quick Reminder)

Foundation Realm (Layers 1–9): Body forging, no external Qi.

Circuit Awakening Realm (Early–Peak): First Qi loop, internal bursts.

Core Condensation Realm (Early–Peak): External Qi release, short flight.

Stellar Circuit Realm (1–9 Stars): True flight, Qi armor, energy projection.

Nebula Dominion Realm and higher: Domain control, galaxy-level power, etc

Power Scale Reminder 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Lian Yu: Stellar Circuit Star 1. A new breakthrough.

Elara Voss: Core Condensation Early to Middle

Eternal Veil Syndicate: A powerful organization with higher-ups at Nebula Dominion and at least one Void Ancestor- level.

The Four Pillars: the most powerful organizations in the lower core universe — ancient, influential, and dangerous beyond measure.

Keep it as reminders